[arbys]

Dear thirtypointer,

I think that you have been cradled in the arms of the union too long. Wake up and see what's going on with your neighbors who have to help pay for their insurance or had the deductible raised.
The original reason for unions was to eliminate the "sweatshops", unsafe working conditions, and/or the management not compensating for a decent days work.
FDR was right, the public sector employees should not have unions. IMHO

[68lemansman]

I know my company guaranteeds us to get a raise each year, but it i remember one year some of the senior workrs got a lower percentage raise than the year before. Companys excuse was because their profits were not as good as the year before, but the company made more than it did the year before which i think was a lie imho! and were talking billions!

[sleepy]

No hate for you or union workers(for the most part). Although I deal with these state workers almost every day and I can say without a doubt. There are some very good workers AND some that if it wasn't for the union they would be living in a box under a bridge because they aren't worth sh!t. THAT is the part of union labor(along with the demand that they be the highest paid in the industry every time they go into contract talks).
BTW. Walker IS NOT reneging on their contracts. They have accepted the contribution increases. He is taking some of the power the union has to hold the state hostage in future contract talks.
Wallyworld must have something to offer, every time i go there it's the same people working there.

[Old Bird]

Hand shakes may work in Texas but don't fly in the Corprate world. You are not a hand your just a number. Companies and workers should work togeather when times are tough. Think politicians should take the first cuts from the top and then we could see that good ol boy trickle down effect at work. Seems like the middle class gets the squeeze again.

[sleepy]

Walker should appoint replacements for the lawmakers who quit their jobs by not showing up to work. ANY of us who pulled this would loose our jobs as a voluntary quit. If they don't like the law being rammed threw(where have we seen that before,DC democrats?) then win the next election and repeal the law.

[thirtypointer]

Originally Posted by arbys

Dear thirtypointer,

I think that you have been cradled in the arms of the union too long. Wake up and see what's going on with your neighbors who have to help pay for their insurance or had the deductible raised.
The original reason for unions was to eliminate the "sweatshops", unsafe working conditions, and/or the management not compensating for a decent days work.
FDR was right, the public sector employees should not have unions. IMHO

Wow, why would you assume I have been "cradled" by anyone (other than Mom). Yeah. If you read my post I indicated I have not gotten any raise since 2009 and have contributed more of my wages towards insurance premium co-pays and deductables, in essence taking a pay cut.

Workers arguing among each other about wages.....


.

[arbys]

Originally Posted by sleepy

Walker should appoint replacements for the lawmakers who quit their jobs by not showing up to work. ANY of us who pulled this would loose our jobs as a voluntary quit. If they don't like the law being rammed threw(where have we seen that before,DC democrats?) then win the next election and repeal the law.

I agree. I'm sure if the Republicans had done that in Washington Obummer would have finally taken a stand.

[mach par]

My union got us a $6,000 pay cut. Was great news.

[Formula8]

Originally Posted by sleepy

Not just republicans, democrats too. Political contributions should be illegal as all they are is a bribe. What makes you think a politician you bought off won't go the opposite direction if someone comes up with more money than you bribed them with?

Holy crap, you and I are in agreement???? Seems like some mutual interest we all could learn from.

[Jim Zeek]

Originally Posted by Formula8

we appear to be engaged in a race to the bottom mentality that essentially says, "I'm getting screwed so why shouldn't you"

Exactly! Don't be jealous just because we got a better deal than you.

[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by Old Bird

Hand shakes may work in Texas but don't fly in the Corprate world. You are not a hand your just a number. Companies and workers should work togeather when times are tough. Think politicians should take the first cuts from the top and then we could see that good ol boy trickle down effect at work. Seems like the middle class gets the squeeze again.

I wish everyone success in finding a job/employment/career that is rewarding to them. Not everyone gets this and that is how it should be. There are many reasons for me saying that and NONE of them is because I seek to belittle anyone. The founding fathers understood that an unequal distribution of wealth, while demonized by many, was actually a catalyst for many to better themselves. The idea that they too could be successful was enough to change behaviors and allow many to move up the ladder in pay.

I think you are suggesting that Politicians decide who will be successful and who will not. They should take from the top first and let it trickle down? Have you ever ventured to educate yourself on the claims you just made? If not, I'll urge you to do so and I will help you in your endeavor.

1) the top 10% of income earners pay 71% of all federal income taxes in 2009. Is this the middle class making the sacrifice of income to pay for others? NO.
2) The bottom 40% pay ZERO effective federal taxes but consume the majority of services

The most just way to determine who pays for services is to charge those using the services for what they use. Phone company. Water bill... What you use, you pay for. As people's income grows, they use LESS services but are taxed at higher rates to redistribute their earnings to others to pay for them.

Companies exist solely to make money. Period. If successful, they can then choose to share more of the proceeds with the workers, but are not required to do so. workers choose to accept the offer of employment at a stated wage. From there, if they don't like how they are being compensated, they are free to leave to pursue another opportunity. Pretty simple - unless one wants others to pay for their wants/needs.

[Keith Vrabec]

4 years ago when I presented the boss with another offer.

I have to pay for part of my healthcare and have no pension, so saving fro retirement is all on me. I pay a lot of tax to the state which is used for state employee salaries, pensions and healthcare plans.

I have not compared my healthcare plan to the state's plan for it would likely aggravate me, then I have to pay my deductible on top of my premium to treat the ulcer in my stomach.

[Brian Baker]

Originally Posted by Jim Zeek

Exactly! Don't be jealous just because we got a better deal than you.

Agreed, Jim...just another form of "class envy".

However, your union situation is different from the public sector. If you don't perform, you don't get rehired. That's the private company's prerogative.

Public sector union employees are not paid with private money. They're paid with taxpayer money. If they aren't performing, they still seem to keep their job. It's the government way.

If the private company that hires out union guys like Jim has financial issues, they adjust accordingly. This could mean Jim not getting hired for a particular job, or getting hired at a lower rate (if he chooses to take it). The Governor of Wisconsin is trying to make adjustments, to keep the state from going bankrupt and people from getting laid off. He should be able to do this, since he is entrusted with taxpayers money, much like a private company CEO is entrusted with investors money.

[R68GTO]

The company I work for established a minimum acceptable profit level for each of it's divisions. As long as that division meets/exceeds that profitability level, every employee gets 2 COLA raises each year unless the COL actually goes down. If it goes down, no downward adjustments are made to the hourly wage. They will reduce the increase when it does go back up to make up for the downward COL. Nice thing about it is all the data is known to every employee. When things got real bad in late 2008 and early 2009, every employee in the company took two 1 week layoffs on a rotational basis. When I say every employee, I mean everyone including the President of the company. All for one, one for all....only way to do it IMHO.

[KJL]

Last raise was in 2007. The end of 2008 we took a 5% pay cut across the board. In early 2009 we took another 15% across the board. In early 2010 we received 10% back. and in late summer we got the other 10% back. We just handed out raises (first since 2008) - 2.5% (cost of living) to 5% (cost of living + performance increase) We pay roughly a third of our health insurance and fund our own 401k's. The company in good times matched some of the 401K but not since 2007.
I'm just happy I have a job. We got hit hard with the economic downturn but were able to survive. I'm just finishing a graph for our company meeting tomorrow that shows our current/projected revenue and 2011 is shaping up nicely.

[Deadhead]

... when I gave it to myself. Raised the rent or kicked it up a notch to figure out a way to make more $. I gave up waiting for the Other Guy to evaluate my performance.

[Bjorn]

Originally Posted by Keith Vrabec

4 years ago when I presented the boss with another offer.

I have to pay for part of my healthcare and have no pension, so saving fro retirement is all on me. I pay a lot of tax to the state which is used for state employee salaries, pensions and healthcare plans.

I have not compared my healthcare plan to the state's plan for it would likely aggravate me, then I have to pay my deductible on top of my premium to treat the ulcer in my stomach.

ditto....

"pension" whats that? I get $120 a month from Sweden...thats my pension....retirement here in the US after working 40 plus years is on me.

[racegto65]

I work in the "private sector" and my last "raise" was last year when I got back the 5% cut I was given in '09.Before that I got 2% in "08.I also have been "contributing 8% to my health insurance and it went up this year thanks to your presidents health care bill! So don't cry about having to pay more for health insurance and only a 2% raise!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by thirtypointer

Just curious how you other wage earners are doing. My governor here (Wisconsin) thinks I have it made because I work for the government and I am in a union. If you work for a living, when was the last time you got a salary increase and how much was it percentage wise?

My last one was in Janurary 2009 and it was 2% plus we kicked in to additonal health insurance co-pays and an increase in paying for a portion of the premium.

Anyone else?


.

[limejudge69]

I work in utilities for my local town. I am not in a union. This is SC, and there are very few unions. I have received a 2% COL raise annually, since 2005. I also receive a 2% annual raise after a satisfactory performance review. But in that time, I have gone from having my healthcare provided free, to paying for it myself. I also pay close to $700 per month for my 3 daughters insurance. The wife gets hers from her employer. The state of SC also takes 6% of my salary right off the top for my retirement pension. We have not hired a new employee in my dept in 2 years. I am surprised, but also happy, that we do receive raises. We do live in a very nice area that has experienced low unemployment and still has a decent housing market. I am happy to be employed in a secure job and do not take it for granted. When I am in the middle of the road, in the middle of the night, jack-hammering concrete to repair a water main break, I realize that's what it takes to provide for my family. I was a Teamster for 10 years at UPS. When I needed them, they let me down. I feel bad for others who have had bad luck and hard times finding steady employment. I also feel for the folks who run small businesses or are self-employed. They are the backbone of this country. I will never complain that I have to pay more for my benefits. If that's what I have to give back to keep my job and provide for the family, then so be it.

[Simple Man]

I also work in the private sector. Over the last 4 years, we've lost our healthcare, our 401(k), AFLAC insurance, our birthday off paid. Last raise was August 07, was maybe 2%